This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of albuminuria.

It also discusses the treatment of the conditions that can cause albuminuria.

What Are the Symptoms of Albuminuria?

Lab technician with urine test

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The only outward signs of excess protein in urine are those that develop in conjunction with chronic kidney disease.

Common symptoms of advanced CKD include:

What Are the Causes of Albuminuria?

Albuminuria can be short term or long term.

How Is Albuminuria Diagnosed?

Diagnosing albuminuria is a simple matter of a urine test (urinalysis).

Only a couple of tablespoons of urine are necessary.

How Is Albuminuria Treated?

There is no treatment for albuminuria itself, as it is not a disease.

Rather, it’s a symptom of a condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease.

The way in which excess protein in urine is treated will depend on the cause.

In the case of diabetes, that means following a treatment protocol designed by a healthcare provider.

The ADA also says that a low-protein diet is sometimes effective for treating kidney disease.

If these measures do not head off kidney failure, dialysis or a kidney transplant will be necessary.

Summary

Albuminuria triggers when you have albumin in your urine.

Treatment involves treating the underlying cause.

The American Kidney Fund.Urine test.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic kidney disease basics.

Ballermann BJ, Nystrom J, Haraldsson B.The glomerular endothelium restricts albumin filtration.Front Med (Lausanne).

American Diabetes Association.Kidney disease (nephropathy).

Sept 5, 2017.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.

National Kidney Foundation.Why are patients asked for urine samples?